Expert: Loren Stevens - 4/25/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have applied to be a police officer and I will soon be taking the multiple choice exam, descriptive writing exercise, and personal history questionnaire. Is there anything I can do to better prepare myself for any of the tests? What should i expect going in? I would appreciate any advice

ANSWER: Hello Tony,
Most of these exams are structured to whatever level the education standard is. For most of the local and state agencies, that would be high school, or GED.
You would be wise to bone up on English/grammar etc, and basic math.
Learn how to take a multiple choice test...which is to say, read the question completely...then read the options, make a tentative mark by the one you belive to be the correct answer...then review the options, and cross off those that you are certain it is not. Generally, you'll come back to the choice you initially made, or by process of elimination, gotten it down to two possibilities or correct, and one of those, being the one you initially selected. I seem to recall, that your first instinct choice, tends to be the most often correct answer.
Don't over-think a question/answers...or read something into either, and work yourself into a wrong response.
It gets a bit more challenging, when there is more than one correct answer, but the instructions, were to select the MOST correct...give that some thought. Listen to, and read the instructions carefully. Any questions, pose it to the proctor.

Review the Bill of Rights, three branches of government, and basic government duties, separation of powers etc.

On the "descriptive writing"...be legible, and grammatically correct, spelling, punctuation etc...Also, try to exercise what I refer to as "the law of parsimony", which is to say, be brief, and to the point.
Use the necessary wording, and avoid being excessive...
Think about 'details', with specificity. You can practice those skills, with concentrated "observation/perception" exercises...watching movies looking for the flaws, without missing the message.
Note shadows, time, distances, colors, gender and so on.
Which wrist was the watch on, did they smoke...which hand was used to smoke, which foot did they start with going up/down stairs etc.

On the personal history inventory...be absolutely honest...warts and all.
If it discovered, that you were less than truthful on anything, that is later discovered to be false...you are out. All agencies rule in favor of the agency...remember that.
Bobby Kennedy once uttered: If you have a problem, hang a lantern on it.
In other words, put it out there, and deal with it. If you try to hide it, the matter only gets worse.
There is also advantage in you selecting the language...s/he who frames the issue, controls the perception....You can convey even an unfavorable issue, in it's best light, and not be untruthful. But be careful, and not too clever...
If you suffered a "youthful indiscretion", that you learned from, and never repeated...I would consider couching it that way.
If the agency uses polygraphs for new hires, they will often work off the very material you listed on the personal history inventory...So again, be truthful.
Driving history, debt issues, alcohol or drug abuse, mental health, domestic abuse...all these issues can be a problem.

As for test quizzers...go on line and seek out police civil service tests... There may be published books that have them, to be used as preparation, rather than as a peek.
This gives you an idea of the type of questions, structure etc.

If you get past all of the preliminary stuff...don't forget to prepare for the oral interview...

Good Luck, hope this is helpful.
Semper Fi,
loren

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: For the drug test, is it a hair test or a urine test? How can I find out if it is different depending on location?

Answer
Tony,
I couldn't tell you....does it matter?

Agencies need to have accurate testing, and they also need to be frugal with their appropriations.
If you are going to believe the ''street geniuses'' that say they have discovered a way to beat certain tests, you are apt to be disappointed.
If you are "dirty" with a drug test, it will be determined. There is also a likelihood of drugs being a point of interest in the polygraph phase.
If you are just wondering, why not contact the human resources of that agency, and ask them which examination method they employ. They would have no reason not to tell you.
Good Luck,
loren